Transformation AGO Campaign Update
Landmark Gift Creates Galleria Italia
Galleria Italia, Art Gallery of Ontario, © Gehry International, Architects, Inc. 2007
Transformation AGO received a major boost recently with a $10-million gift from 20 families in Toronto’s Italian community. The AGO will name its spectacular new Frank Gehry-designed sculpture promenade Galleria Italia in recognition of the landmark gift.
Members of donor families, politicians and dignitaries congregated at the AGO’s Jackman Hall on April 4 to announce the creation of Galleria Italia, and celebrated with a feast that included traditional Italian fare, fine wines, and a brilliant performance by the Three Tenors from the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music.
The historic commitment was spearheaded by Tony Gagliano, executive chairman & CEO of St. Joseph Communications and vice-president of the AGO's Board of Trustees. “Galleria Italia will be recognized as an iconic space in the transformed AGO;” says Gagliano. “In this unprecedented initiative, 20 families have come together to pay tribute to the great countries of Canada and Italy, creating a lasting legacy for art lovers everywhere.”
The following generous donors each contributed $500,000 to Transformation AGO: the Anthony Family; Carlo Baldassarra and Family; Rudy Bratty and Family; Ralph and Rose Chiodo and Family; Mario Cortellucci and Family; Mr. and Mrs. D’Alessandro; the De Gasperis Family; the De Meneghi Family; Jack and Mary Del Zotto and Family; the di Prata Family; Gaetano and Guiseppina Gagliano and Family; the Albert Gasparro Family; the Longo Family; Ida Pusateri and Family and Frank Luchetta; the Mario and Nadia Romano Family; the Felice Sabatino Family; the Ivano Scarlato Family; the Sorbara Family; the TLN Telelatino Television Group, comprising Corus Entertainment and the families of Romeo Di Battista, Italo Rosati, JR Shaw and Joseph Vitale; and the Varone Family.
The Gallery extends its deepest gratitude to these families for their exceptional generosity.
This gift brings the Transformation AGO campaign total to $225 million, or 88 per cent of its $254-million goal. Perhaps more importantly, it will enhance the art experience at the AGO for generations to come.
